Tunable photoluminescence properties of selenium nanoparticles: biogenic versus chemogenic synthesis

Abstract Various technological and biomedical applications rely on the ability of materials to emit light (photoluminescence [PL]), and, among them, metal nanoparticles (NPs) and semi-conductor Quantum Dots (QDs) represent ideal candidates as sensing probes and imaging tools, portraying better PL features than conventional organic dyes. However, the knowledge of PL behavior of semiconductor NPs – i.e., selenium; SeNPs – is still in its infancy, especially for those synthesized by microorganisms. Considering the essential role played by biogenic SeNPs as antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant agents, or food supplements, their PL properties must be explored to take full advantage of them…